Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Stavi, Ilan; Yizhaq, Hezi; Osem, Yagil; Argaman, Eli

doi:10.1002/ece3.8147

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(101 reference statements)

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“…In intertidal seagrass meadows, sediment accumulates in dense seagrass patches, which stabilize the sediment and prevent erosion, hampering waterfowl in applying their preferred grazing strategy (dabbling) during low tide, as the dense patches are then elevated above the water, leaving only the water-logged hollows for grazing (see refs. 24 , 25 , and 61 and Fig. 1 B ).…”

Section: Ecosystems With Aggregation-driven Patchinessmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…To summarize, our study contributes to a more complete indicator framework based on self-organized patchiness in ecology, providing a thorough understanding of irregularly patterned ecosystems that lack both scale-dependent feedbacks associated with spatially periodic Turing patterns ( 5 , 16 , 93 ) and self-propelling localized disturbances associated with scale-free patterns that typify self-organized criticality ( 112 ). Our extension of the theoretical framework of spatial indicators for tipping points in ecology can be used to provide tools for researchers and managers monitoring ecosystem degradation ( 61 , 97 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phase-separation physics underlies new theory for the resilience of patchy ecosystems

Siteur

Liu

Rottschäfer

et al. 2023

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Spatial self-organization of ecosystems into large-scale (from micron to meters) patterns is an important phenomenon in ecology, enabling organisms to cope with harsh environmental conditions and buffering ecosystem degradation. Scale-dependent feedbacks provide the predominant conceptual framework for self-organized spatial patterns, explaining regular patterns observed in, e.g., arid ecosystems or mussel beds. Here, we highlight an alternative mechanism for self-organized patterns, based on the aggregation of a biotic or abiotic species, such as herbivores, sediment, or nutrients. Using a generalized mathematical model, we demonstrate that ecosystems with aggregation-driven patterns have fundamentally different dynamics and resilience properties than ecosystems with patterns that formed through scale-dependent feedbacks. Building on the physics theory for phase-separation dynamics, we show that patchy ecosystems with aggregation patterns are more vulnerable than systems with patterns formed through scale-dependent feedbacks, especially at small spatial scales. This is because local disturbances can trigger large-scale redistribution of resources, amplifying local degradation. Finally, we show that insights from physics, by providing mechanistic understanding of the initiation of aggregation patterns and their tendency to coarsen, provide a new indicator framework to signal proximity to ecological tipping points and subsequent ecosystem degradation for this class of patchy ecosystems.

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Section: Ecosystems With Aggregation-driven Patchinessmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase-separation physics underlies new theory for the resilience of patchy ecosystems

Siteur

Liu

Rottschäfer

et al. 2023

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…In July 2022, during the field survey, sixty samples (Figure 1) were set up in areas with typical grazing path distribution based on the distribution characteristics of grazing behavior and other factors, including accessibility and terrain (Figure 1), which were evenly distributed on the hilltop (No. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], hillside (No. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40], and hillbottom (No.…”

Section: Sample Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The types of livestock associated with grazing path formation include domesticated hoofed herbivores such as cattle [4][5][6], sheep [7][8][9][10][11], horses [12], and yaks [3]. The length of grazing paths is closely related to plant abundance [2], and the width correlates strongly with livestock body length, with significant differences between cattle and sheep [3,5,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Grazing Paths and Their Influence on Mountain Vegetation in the Traditional Grazing Area of the Tien-Shan Mountains

et al. 2023

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In the Tien-Shan Mountains, Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, the livestock industry has experienced rapid growth in recent decades. However, this expansion has led to increased overgrazing behavior, resulting in the proliferation of grazing paths and a decline in vegetation cover. These factors are considered the main causes of vegetation degradation in the region. To investigate this issue, we conducted a study utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle imagery in the Zollersay Mountains of Ili to examine the distribution of grazing paths and their effects on mountain vegetation, including grassland and Malus sieversii. The results of our study revealed that grazing paths in the area exhibited various formations, including parallel, oblique intersection, and grid. On the hilltop, the grazing paths were not only shorter but also wider, whereas on the hillside, they were denser, indicating a higher concentration of livestock trampling events. It was found that grazing path density played a pivotal role in grassland degradation, with a negative correlation observed between grazing path density and indicators such as the grassland quality index and grass vegetation coverage. As grazing path density increased, the damage inflicted on Malus sieversii by livestock also intensified. However, as the trees grow older, their height surpasses the feeding range of livestock, resulting in reduced grazing impact. The findings of our study carry significant implications for developing scientifically informed livestock policies and promoting the conservation of wild fruit forests.

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“…Specifically, physical spatial patterns (see Fig. 1 for examples) increase the complexity of ecosystems by strengthening the spatial redistribution of water and soil resources at microhabitat scales and decreasing (or increasing) hydrological connectivity between ecosystems ( 4 , 20 , 23 ). However, the importance of physical patterns of self-organization for maintaining the integrity of the world’s ecosystems facing climate change is for the most an unstudied topic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-organized mud cracking amplifies the resilience of an iconic “Red Beach” salt marsh

Zhang

Yan

et al. 2023

Sci. Adv.

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Self-organized patterning, resulting from the interplay of biological and physical processes, is widespread in nature. Studies have suggested that biologically triggered self-organization can amplify ecosystem resilience. However, if purely physical forms of self-organization play a similar role remains unknown. Desiccation soil cracking is a typical physical form of self-organization in coastal salt marshes and other ecosystems. Here, we show that physically self-organized mud cracking was an important facilitating process for the establishment of seepweeds in a “Red Beach” salt marsh in China. Transient mud cracks can promote plant survivorship by trapping seeds, and enhance germination and growth by increasing water infiltration in the soil, thus facilitating the formation of a persistent salt marsh landscape. Cracks can help the salt marsh withstand more intense droughts, leading to postponed collapse and faster recovery. These are indications of enhanced resilience. Our work highlights that self-organized landscapes sculpted by physical agents can play a critical role in ecosystem dynamics and resilience to climate change.

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Positive impacts of livestock and wild ungulate routes on functioning of dryland ecosystems

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 7 publications

References 46 publications

Phase-separation physics underlies new theory for the resilience of patchy ecosystems

Phase-separation physics underlies new theory for the resilience of patchy ecosystems

Distribution of Grazing Paths and Their Influence on Mountain Vegetation in the Traditional Grazing Area of the Tien-Shan Mountains

Self-organized mud cracking amplifies the resilience of an iconic “Red Beach” salt marsh

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